Air-ejecting apparatus for vessels.



PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

G. QUANONNE. AIR EJECTING APPARATUS FOR VESSBLS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1901. N0 MODEL.

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No. 725,137. PATBNTED APR. 14, 1,903. G. QUANONNB. AIR EJEGTING APPARATUS FOR VESSELS.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,1901.

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UNITE STATES trice.

Artnr GUSTAVE QUANONNE, OFIIOUDENG-GOEGNIES, BELGIUM.

sPEcIFIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 725,137, dated April 14, 1903- Application filed June 15, 1901. Serial No. 64,735: (N0 model-5 To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Beitknown that LGUsTAvE QUANoNNE,en gneer, a subject of the King of Belgium, residing at Houdeng-Goegnies, in the Kingdom of Belgium, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protecting Devices for Air-Ejecting Apparatus for Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus (of the class described in my previous patent, No. 640,946) designed to facilitate the propulsion of ships by the injection of air into the water.

The object of this invention is to provide means adapted for use in combination with the devices serving to produce the distribution of air-such, for instance, as referred to in the patent aforesaid-so as to obviate any obstruction of the air-distributing orices liable to be caused by an untimely influx of sea-water or by impurities or like foreign matter finding their way into the distibuters, say, in consequence of the air itself drawing particles of fatty matter originating from the compressors or dust or other foreign substances into the said distributers. With a View to accomplishing this effect there have been devised certain special combinations of means, which will be hereinafter particularly described and claimed, with reference to thev accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis an elevation ofthe hull of a ship, showing the complete system of distributing devices carried out in accordancewith myinvention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section-of the hull.

of the ship on lined b of Fig. l, this section.

merely illustrating the arrangement of airpassages in the interior of the hull. Fig. 3 is a similar section on an enlarged scale. Fig. e is an elevation of the arrangement shown in Fig. Fig. 5 is a detached View of an air-distributing pipe arranged outside the ships hull. Fig. 6 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section of an air-supply pipe and of a safetyvalve fitted to such pipe. Figs. 8, 9, l0, and ll are vertical sections, on an enlarged scale, of various constructions of dustcollectors or air-purifiers. Figs. l2 to i7 are detail views of various forms of air-distributing systems. Figs. 18,19, and 20are sections of still further modifications of air-distributing pipes, and Fig. 21 is a longitudinal section of an air-distributing pipe of special form.

In Fig. l I have represented two systems of air-distributing pipes best adapted for practical purposes, B0 B B B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 designating air-distributing channels or port-s to be arranged outside the planking, while C C are similar air-distributers placed within the hull A, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

D D are air-compressors, which may be coupled together, as shown at D, or, as represented in the case of D, they may be combined with a compensating receiver E, serving to insure continuity in the supply of air. The compressors, whichmay be set in operation in any suitable manner, force the air into the pipes F, which may be fitted with branch pipes G, as described in the previous patent aforenamed, or may feed the air-distributers direct, as shown in the case of the distributer B and as assumed in the case of the distributers B0 C C', whose air-compressl ors are not shown in the drawings hereunto annexed.

According to my invention I place one or more dust-collecting chambers H in the line of pipes F for the purpose of purifying the air driven by the compressors D D toward the distributing-channels B0 B B' B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 and C C. These collecting or intercepting chambers may be constructed in any one of the forms represented in Figs. 8 to 11.

In the construction shown in Fig. 8 the collecting-chamber H is constituted simply by an enlargement of the pipeV F, which is made to form a receptacle, wherein the air as it passes through deposits any dust it may carry with it and any particles of fatty matter that may be given off by the oil used in lubricating the pistons of the compressors, seeing that these are apt to form a greasy mixture or coom, Which must tend` to clog the air-dis tributing orifices. This chamber H for intercepting impurities may be provided with a removable bottom h, so as to facilitate the removal of the coom or fatty matter deposited by the air. In the construction shown in Fig. 9 the collecting-chamber H', having the removable bottom h, is furthermore provided with partitions t, arranged as deflectin gplates, so as to afford a zigzag passage I for the air, and thereby to cause the air to travel a longer Adistance and add to the efficiency of the collecting-chamber. In the modified arrangement shown in Fig. l0 the collecting- ,chamber H3 is formed of two parts H11 H12, boltedl together, and contains filtering material H43, through which the air is made to pass as itis conducted to the system of distributers. In the construction shown in Fig. ll the collecting-chamber H4 contains a washing or scrubbing fluid, as at H14, through which the air is forced (agitating the fluid as itdoes so) before passing on to the system of distributing-pipes. To this end the pipe F, through which the air is delivered on leaving the compressor, is extended into the interior ofthe chamber H4 and immersed in the scrubbing fluid at H14, while the bottom of the chamber H is fitted with a glozzle H5, serving to discharge the said scrubbing fluid after it has lbeen impregnated with impurities. As will be seen from Fig. 1, these collecting or intercepting chambers may be used all concurrently or each separately, according to requirements. Thus in the example shown the branch pipes G feeding the distributers B5 to B8 are joined onto a single collectingchamber H', having deflecting-plates t' in alternate planes, while the branch pipes G feeding the distributers B' to B4 are joined onto three collecting-chambers H, H', and H3, arranged in succession, one behind the other, one of such chambers containing filtering material, as at H3, in accordance with the construction represented in Fig. 10, the other being provided with partitions 0r deflectingplates t, as represented in Fig. 9, and the third being simply a plain'chamber H of the construction shown in Fig. 8. As for the pipe F, connecting the compressor D' to the air-distributers B, it is represented as comprising four intercepting-chambers constructed in accordance with Figs. 8 to 11, respectively.

In Fig. l, K designates a Water-pipe, whereof one end is connected to a pump K', while its other end joins the air-distributing pipes F, extending from the compressors D D'.

The pipe K may be shut off from the pipes F by means of cut-off valves r, and it is intended, conjointly with the said pump K', to serve the purpose of filling the air-pipes F and G with pure Water when required during the stoppages of the blast or injector, as will be more fully described farther on.

As already stated, the air-distributing passages or air-distributers proper, B0 B B' B8 and C C', may be placed either Within or without the hull A of the ship. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are detail views of the construction adopted when the said passages (or pipes) are disposed within the hull, as in the case of the'distributers C C', Fig. l. In this case the hull A, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, carries internally a pipe C, extending either from'end to end of the hull or through part of itslength only. The hull A has air-outlet orifices formed in it, and in order to check or retard the obstruction of these outlets by the impurities brought up by the sea-Water, especially when the seas come to force a passage through such outlets, as they are apt to do in stormy Weather, for example, the outlets are covered over with removable and more or less flexible plates L. The plates L may, for example, be welded or riveted to a bar L', secured in position by means of bolts L2, having their heads embedded in the said bar L', so as to afford no protruding parts for the water to bear on and avoid the progress of the vessel being impeded thereby, While at the same time forming a set of detachable parts for the outside of the hull.

When the air-distributing pipes or channels are arranged outside the hull A of the ship, as B0 B' B2 B3 B4 B5 Bb' B7 B8 are assumed to be, these air-distributers should preferably be removable, t0 Which end I propose to adopt the constructions represented in Figs. 5 and G. n

In the construction shown in Fig. 5 the distribnter B0 consists of a T-shaped tube perforated with a number of air-outlets oand having, furthermore, a discharge-orifice P, providing for the escape of such small amounts of water as might find their way into the distributer or be deposited therein as a result of the expansion of the air, anda safetyvalve P', consisting, say, of one or more flat springs. The discharge-orifice P is only provided in order to allow a free and nonob structed opening for the escape of the small amounts of water just referred to, and the section of the said orifice is held sufficiently reduced in such a manner that only a small part of the volume of air contained in the distributer may find its exit therethrough after the Water has been expelled out of the distributer. This orifice acts then in conjunction with the other air-outlet orifices o in order to distribute the air in the water. The distributer B0 maybe secured or coupled with the pipe F or to one of the branches G by means of a ring or collar P2, which it is only necessary to unscrew to enable the said distribnter B to be removed for purposes of cleaning.

In 'the construction shown in Fig. 6 the distributer B0, which is also provided with a discharge-orifice P and a safety-valveP', is secured to the air-supply pipeF by means of a bolt P4 engaging in a cross-piece P3, forming part of the said air-supply pipe F. This figure also shows that the successive distributers B0 B, dre., may, if required, bejoined together, say, by means of rings or sleeves P4, serving to counteract the swell and to strengthen the system of pipes. The safety-valve P', fitted to the distributers, may of course be of any suitable construction. Thus it may take the form of the valve P", Fig. 7, for example, where the flap P5 is subjected to the action of a spiral spring P6. This construction, however, is adopted in preference in the case of the air- IOS IIO

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supply pipes F, as shown in Fig. 7, in order to prevent the bursting of those pipes, such as is liable to result from an abnormal counter-pressure put upon the air-delivery orifices of the distributers.

While the air-distributers themselves may be removable for cleaning purposes, their oriices may be protected from obstruction by means of yielding or resilient protectingplates. These protecting-plates maybe constructed and combined with the distributers after any one of the methods illustrated in Figs. 12 to 17.

In the construction shown in Fig. 12 the outer distributer B, for example, is provided with air-outlets o, of circular section, covered over by a yielding plate R, secured to the tube B by welding, by an adhesive substance, or by any other convenient means of attachment, such attachment being effected at its edge Rf. The construction represented in Fig. 13 only differs from that shown in Fig. 12 in the particular that the air-outlets here assume the shape of narrow slots o', which are protected in the same manner as the circular orifices in Fig. 12-viz., by means of a iiexible plate R.

The constructions shown in Figs. let and 15 are substantially identical with those of Figs.

12 and 13, except that the protecting-plate R is here subdivided into several plates, one plate R2 being provided for each orifice o or o' or one plate, such as R3, serving to protect two or more orilices o or o.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 16 the protecting-plate R, covering one or more orilices o, is secured in place by its two edges R and R4 and provided with perforations o2, interposed each between two consecutive airoutlets o, so that the air in leaving the distributer passes between the outer surface of the tube B and the innersurface of the protecting-plate R.

The construction shown in Fig. 17 diers from that represented in Fig. 16 in the feature that the protecting-platehere isadouble or compound one, one plate R5. being covered over by a second plate R6. Each of these plates is secured to the tube B', for example, by its two edges R and RLl and is,provided with a series of slots R7 and RS, arranged break-joint fashion, so as considerably to retard the return of the water into the pipes Figs. 18 and 19 are respectively cross-sec tions of two yforms of distributing-pipessuch as B or B2, for example-themselves constructed of' more or less elastic material, so that the covering R7 forms a means ofprotection for keeping the water out of' the pipe. In the pipes constructed in accordance with these gu res the air escapes through the joint formed by the covering R7, expanding the pipe as it does so, while the water acting externally tends to compress the lips of the covering device which forin the joint R7. The construction shown in Fig. 2O is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 19, except C? o k) that here a number of successive joints R7 are formed by means of a series of separate plates R8, fastened one upon the other.

In the construction represented in. Fig. 21 the protecting-plates R2 employed are of the same class as those shown in Figs. 14 and 15, but their edges R9 overlap, so that, if required, one plate may open a passage in the water before the other.

The operation of the complete arrangement hereinabovedescribedisasfollows: Thecompressed air forced by the compressors D or D into the pipes F passes through the dustintercepting chambers H beforereaching the distributers B0B B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 or C C and in so doing depositsin such chambers any fatty matter, coom, or dust wherewith it may be charged. On being thus purified it is delivered into the distributing-pipes in such a condition that the danger of obstruction of such pipes by impurities carried outward by the air is considerably attenuated. The air as it escapes through the distributers B0 B B2 B3 B4 B5 BG B7 BS, arranged outside the hull, or though the distributers C C', arranged inside the hull, will, in the manner already known, form a layer of air along the hull which is calculated to lessen the friction of the ship. Should for any reason, such as excessive pitching or rolling or in stormy weather, the pressure of the air prove incapable of resisting the counter-pressure of the swelling seas and should the water in consequence show a tendency to reenter the distributers and to carry into them from without impurities liable to clog the air-distributing ori- IOO ces, such tendency will be counteracted by the protecting appliances above described, which will effectnally prevent the water from entering the distributers or at all events introducing impurities into the same, as these will be detained by the protecting-plates R, R2, R3, R5, or R6, described above, and assuming that a small amount of water' should after all find its way into the distributers such water will without difficulty be expelled through the discharge orices P under the action of the compressed air or when the compression of air will be again put in action. While the blowers are at rest--in harbors, for example, or in rough weather rendering the operation of blowers utterly ineffectuala possible influx of impure sea-Water into the distributers,whether provided or nn provided.

with protecting-plates, may be eectively prevented by setting in operation the pump K. This pump by forcing pure water into the pipes F and into the distributers will keep the said pipes and distributers in a condition i of perfect cleanness and may with certainty be relied upon to prevent any obstruction.

In the case of ships habitually frequenting places where the waters are comparatively clean and fitted with compressing apparatus so constructed as not to pollute the air under pressure the means for keeping the air-distributin g devices in proper working or- IIO der While they are in the water may simply consist of external detachable pipes or channels, such as are shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The object contemplated will in this case be attained simply by the periodical cleaning of the lengths of distributing-piping by means of suitable scouring-bath or the like. In the case of ships frequentingimpure waters, however, the keeping in order of the air-distributers cannot be sufficiently provided for by the sole use of cleaning appliances, but will require in addition the employment of protecting-plates, such as have above been described with reference to Figs. l2 to 20, or in case of need temporary protective and preventive measuresmay be adopted where thev danger of obstruction by accessions of muddy water is to be apprehended only in ports or harbors and not under way. In that case perfectly clean water should be injected into the air-pipes by means of the pump K', as already described, (the action of the fans or blowers being of course suspended in the meantime.) The water confined in the pipes will then, as has already been explained before, only be allowed to flow in the outward direction, thus being discharged outside the ship, so that the prevention of clogging through any impurities contained in the water will, although temporary, be absolutely reliable. Besides, there is nothing to prevent the preventive Vprotection by means of pure Water from confinement of the pure water (as the case may be) may successively coperate with the protecting-plates in retarding any inward obstruction of the orifices, though in course of time it will nevertheless be necessary to resort to cleaning.

The employment of covering-plates must be expected to facilitate the formation of deposits in the distributing-orifices from impurities brought along with the air, seeing that in practice it is hardly to be anticipatedl that the air can be brought to a condition of absolute purity, and it is for this reason that cleaning at greater or less intervals of time will be absolutely necessaryand is made easy by the detachable and removable nature of the parts to be cleaned, to which access mayl be readily had by diving.

What I claim isl. In a ship, in combination with blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progress, and with air-distributers fed from said apparatus, means for counteracting the outward obstruction of the air-outlets, and means for preventing the burtisng of the pipes in case of excessive air-pressure.

2. In a ship, in combination with blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progress, and with air-distributers and pipes connecting the blowing apparatus with the distributers, means for preventing the obstruction of the air-passages both in the pipes and in the distributers.

3. -In a ship, in combination with blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progress, and with air-distributers fed from said blowing apparatus, protecting devices iitted to the distributers, and means for cleaning, such as employment of the water-pipe K capable of counteracting the obstruction of the air-passages, where they open into the water.

4t. In a ship, in combination with blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progress, and with air-distributers fed from said blowing apparatus, means for confining a Huid in the pipes and orifices through which the air is discharged into the water, for the purpose of counteracting the obstruction of said orifices.

5. In a ship, in combination with blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progress, and air-distributers fed from said blowers, apparatus adapted to purify the air to be forced into the water, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a ship, in combination with her hull and with a blowing apparatus designed to facilitate the progress of the ship, air-distributing pipes and compound overlapping flexible protecting-plates applied to the air-outlet orifices, said compound plates being detachable or removable without breaking their fastenings, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

7. In a ship, in combination with her hull and with a blowing apparatus designed to facilitate the progress of the ship, air-distributing pipes permanently secured to the ship and compound overlapping flexible protectingplates, such plates being divided into fractions and applied over the air-outlet oriflces so as to be removable therefrom without breaking their fastenings, substantially as described and for the purpose specied.

8. In a ship, in combination with a blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progress, air-distributing pipes and a system of pipes adapted to confine water or any other fluid into the said air-distributing pipes while the blowing apparatus is inoperative, as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a ship, in combination with a blowing apparatus designed to facilitate her progess and with air-distributers fed from said apparatus, external protecting devices for the distributers, and apparatus for purifying the air IOO under pressure, as and for the purpose speciand With air-distributers fed from said apparatus, means for confining Water or other fluid in lbhe air-pipes While the blowing apparatus is inoperative, external protecting devices for the said distribnters and apparatus capable of purifying the air under pressure, as and for the purpose speciiied.

12. In a ship, in combination with air-ejecting appliances designed to facilitate her progress, air-distributing pipes provided with airoublet orifices and a discharge-orifice, independent of the air-outlet orifices, and adapted to discharge the Water admitted in the airdisbriburing pipes, as and for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto'set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAVE QUANONNE.

Witnesses:

GEORGE BERE, GREGORY PHELAN. 

